The Grand Del Mar in San Diego

If you’re going to come to SoCal, and you’re going to go anywhere but the Made Man offices, you should probably go to the Hotel Grand Del Mar in San Diego. But, really, you should come by our offices and let us show you around L.A. Until then, though, we’ll focus on the Del Mar.

Heavily influenced by Spanish architect Addison Mizner (for whom the on-site restaurant is named), the Del Mar blends seamlessly into both the local culture and geography. It is located in the California’s Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve – set aside from the bustle of San Diego proper, but close to action should you seek that (more on that below).

The Grand Del Mar is a five star and five diamond resort – the only one in California. And its amenities are exactly what you’d expect knowing as much. You can rent a room, a suite, or if you require a little more room to recreate, an open-air Spanish-style villa. There is an 18-hole golf course (take the virtual tour by clicking on the picture below), and a world-class spa offering every type of nicety that your masculinity will allow you to receive from massage to MANicure.

If you remain unimpressed, consider that they were voted the Best Hotel in the U.S. by “Global Traveler Reader Survey” in 2009, Best by Service from “Conde Nast Traveler” in the same year, and Top New Hotel by Gayot in 2007, and again by Conde Nast in 2008. These guys hit the ground running, and they’re running a lot faster than most people that’ve been in the race for some time.

Our favorite part, though, in the resort is the restaurant, Addison, Southern California’s only Five-Star and Five Diamond restaurant. Head Chef William Bradley hybridizes locavorianism and traditional French cuisine set in the European backdrop that spreads throughout the rest of the resort. With the addition of their staggering wine collection, there is truly restaurant that out-matches Addision in Clifornia.

There’s also abundant attraction to the surrounding areas. All of the following are a short drive from the Del Mar: Thoroughbred Club, San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Balboa Park, Old Globe Theatre, San Diego Symphony. Or, if you’re rejuvenile like much of our staff and editors, you’ll be pleased to know that both Sea World and Lego Land are only about a 40 minute drive away. Rates vary by season, so check out their site, and make your reservation today.

In addition to the luxurious dining, wining and golf course domination, the entire resort is dedicated to maintaining a green existence.They make their own mulch for the greens, they’ve built the resort and the course into the natural environment, preserving the coastal canyons without modification, and they employ energy efficient washing and lighting systems.There’s even an internal resort recycling program, so you don’t have to feel guilty about your being pampered.It’s (at least partially) for Mother Earth.